And Soon the Darkness

And Soon the Darkness

Year: 1970

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Fuest

MysteryHorrorThrillerHorror the undead and monster classicsThrillers and murder mysteries

Inspired by Hitchcock’s suspense, the film follows two young English women cycling through the French countryside. When one disappears, the remaining friend launches a frantic search, confronting unsettling clues and questioning everyone around her as trust becomes a deadly gamble.

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Timeline & Setting – And Soon the Darkness (1970)

Explore the full timeline and setting of And Soon the Darkness (1970). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

France (rural countryside)

Two young nurses embark on a cycling holiday through the rural French countryside, passing farmland, small villages, and a cemetery. The setting shifts from sunlit roads to shadowy woods and an abandoned trailer park, creating a claustrophobic sense of isolation. The landscape amplifies the tension as danger hides in ordinary places along quiet roads and roadside cafes.

🌍 France 🌳 Countryside 🧭 Travel 🏚️ Village Life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:40

Main Characters – And Soon the Darkness (1970)

Meet the key characters of And Soon the Darkness (1970), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jane (Pamela Franklin)

A determined nurse who leads the search for Cathy after their separation. She navigates suspicion, danger, and the consequences of keeping secrets as she tries to piece together what happened. Her resolve drives the investigation and the final confrontation.

🧭 Protagonist 🗺️ Traveler 🔎 Determined

Cathy (Michele Dotrice)

The other nurse who is left behind and later found murdered. She embodies the vulnerability of travelers in an unfamiliar landscape and becomes the tragic catalyst for the investigation. Her disappearance exposes the dangers lurking in quiet rural spaces.

🧭 Companion 🕵️‍♀️ Victim ⚠️ Vulnerable

Paul (Sandor Elès)

A man who appears to help Jane but harbors his own motives and knows the case. He searches for Cathy and reveals information that complicates the truth. He survives long enough to assist in the final moments, though his allegiance remains ambiguous.

🕵️‍♂️ Mysterious 🔎 Ally ⚔️ Ambivalent

Gendarme (John Nettleton)

A local authority figure who proves to be the killer, turning the pursuit into a dangerous trap. He assaults Jane and embodies the film’s critique of corruption and abuse of power. His defeat comes through a last-minute intervention.

🗡️ Antagonist 🛡️ Authority 🩸 Villain

Schoolmistress (Clare Kelly)

An English schoolmistress who mentions the unsolved murder, adding historical weight to the mystery. She represents a link to past crimes and the societal pressure surrounding the case. Her warning and information fuel Jane’s search.

🕰️ Historian 🗣️ Informant 🏫 Educator

Madame Lassal (Hana Maria Pravda)

The owner of the roadside cafe who hints at danger and urges Jane to leave. She provides local flavor and a cautious perspective on the unfolding events. Her interactions highlight the mistrustful and protective attitudes of rural hosts.

🍽️ Local 🗺️ Informant 🧭 Host

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:40

Major Themes – And Soon the Darkness (1970)

Explore the central themes of And Soon the Darkness (1970), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌫️ Isolation

The film uses remote lanes and sparse villages to heighten fear, making help feel distant or unreliable. The women are cut off from immediate assistance as they navigate unfamiliar terrain and suspicious locals. Isolation turns a routine journey into a perilous pursuit where the landscape itself becomes a palpable threat.

🔎 Investigation

With Cathy missing, Jane begins piecing together what happened by questioning locals and following vague clues. The presence of a man who seems to know the case adds ambiguity about motive and truth. Trust and deception braid together as Jane sifts through conflicting information.

💪 Survival

Jane fights to stay alive and uncover the fate of Cathy, sustaining the pursuit despite danger. The narrative builds to a confrontation that tests her resolve against a corrupted authority. The final moments hinge on resilience and quick action to outmaneuver the threat.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:40

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And Soon the Darkness Summary

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And Soon the Darkness Summary

And Soon the Darkness Timeline

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And Soon the Darkness Timeline

More About And Soon the Darkness

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More About And Soon the Darkness

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